THE PARADOX

 

These cognitive disciplines (memory, observation, reading effectively, thinking) are not part of the standard curriculum. We study many things, but, paradoxically, not how to learn efficiently. As it takes practice, but is not compulsory, learning these skills is considered but side-lined and people get on with the stuff they have to do instead. Because they are not linked with the standard curriculum, their importance to learning that curriculum is often not appreciated, especially by the learner themselves.

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Rather than being core to what we are learning, they are often marketed differently by their evangelists. They are touted as career-enhancing skills to a professional adult audience distributed through expensive courses that are either teacher-led or online.

 

In practice, many peoples' main access to this knowledge is through self-help books. This is a particularly poor vehicle for our children, who are the people who need it most.